On this episode of The Hunt Stealth Podcast, Ryan Uffens sits down with Mike Merrill, aka "Big T" an entrepreneur, family man, and seasoned bowhunter with a gritty mindset and a deep love for the outdoors. The conversation weaves through Mike’s personal hunting evolution, from growing up without a mentor to becoming a relentless and calculated hunter. He shares how he built multiple successful businesses, including a mobile time-clock software company, and transitioned to a life more focused on purpose-driven hunting and physical readiness.

Mike details a 12-day archery mule deer hunt in Utah that tested every ounce of his grit and patience. From early mornings and busted stalks to holding full draw for over two minutes, the story culminates with a perfectly executed shot and a buck that represents years of lessons learned. The episode also dives into discipline, cold plunges, training for life, and learning to "hunt angry" with purpose, drive, and zero wasted energy.

Key Takeaways:

Hunt With Intent: Don’t stack too many tags and bounce between hunts, commit fully to the ones you choose. Focus and time in the field lead to success.

Get Reps Early: New hunters should take legal, ethical shots to gain real-world experience in stalking, shooting, field dressing, and packing out.

Hunt Angry... With Control: Channel emotion into determination and grit. Don't lash out, but use inner fire to push through physical and mental limits.

Adapt & Evolve: Whether in business or bowhunting, success comes from trial, failure, and learning. Mike applied lessons from decades of entrepreneurship to the way he approaches the mountains.

Train for Life: Fitness, mental toughness, and discomfort like cold plunges or weighted hikes—build a resilient foundation not just for hunting, but for life’s challenges.

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